Editors' Review

ObjectDock gives you the look and functionality of a Mac interface right on your Windows computer by adding a customizable dock at the bottom of the screen. From here, you can quickly open important programs, and you can even tell the program to mimic the mouse-over zoom effect found on a Mac.

Pros

Configurable and customizable: The initial Dock this app creates contains some basic programs and an icon for the Windows Start Menu. But through the Settings Menu, you can customize the Dock to display whatever programs you want. And you can even specify whether you want all open programs to show up there or not.

Two-part interface: In addition to the Dock at the bottom of the screen, this app also creates a tabbed interface that you can access by clicking on a small bar at the top of the screen. Here you'll find the Settings Menu, and you can also access all of your other programs, especially if you chose to eliminate the Windows Toolbar when you set up the app.

Cons

One size: The icons in the Dock are only one size, and they are rather large. Depending on the size of your screen, this may mean that they interfere with what you're trying to do in other programs from time to time.

Variable responsiveness: Programs didn't always open the first time we tried to click on them in the dock. Although they did always open eventually, it sometimes took multiple attempts.

Bottom Line

ObjectDock is a quick and easy way to give your Windows computer a Mac look. It offers lots of options for customization, which means you can set it up in a way that best suits your needs. While there are some stylistic and performance issues that you may not want to put up with, you can try the app out for free for 30 days to decide if it's worth spending $9.99 to purchase.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of ObjectDock 2.20.

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Publisher's Description

From Stardock:
ObjectDock is designed to add style, organization, and function to your Windows experience. Place your favorite web links, program shortcuts and information widgets on this fun, animated and easy-to-use dock. Additional docklets provide quick access to weather, time, and other useful information. A new UI allows users to choose from a number of styles and special effects for a custom experience.

18FEB2015..I had used Object Dock for about a year. It replaced and improved the look of the Windoze Taskbar.

Cons

I always found that Object Dock conflicted with USB SAFELY REMOVE (which allows one to properly "stop" USB drives before disconnecting them from the computer). USB SAFELY REMOVE always reported that OBJECT DOCK had any USB Drive I was attempting to eject "locked", even when selecting FORCE STOP, it could not kill Object Dock.

About a month ago I tried WinStep's Nexus Dock and found that USB SAFELY REMOVE now allows me to eject USB drives with no issues, and my system seems to run faster.

Always gets in the way of mouse commands. I know that it is easily hidden, but the double action (hide and then asking if you want to hide, is frustrating when one is in a hurry and busy with a project.If the dock involved could be slid along to clear the required click command, it would be great.

Summary

It is OK but it is such a pest I have removed it. Cute and decorative, pretty and ornimental, but useless as it is, for serious work.

Stardock is not the universe authority. They will not dictate to me when I am going to upgrade to Win7. No one is asking for something they did not have before, they had XP support, but dropped it. So, now we follow.

I love the version of this product that runs on the Dell (DellDock?) So I checked out the free, and paid, version for my Lenovo ThinkPad.

Cons

First, the support is practically non-existent.

Second, I write software. I want to run my development exe with different start up values. With tabbed docks, you can group shortcuts into a folder, or group, BUT you can ONLY run 2 short-cuts that refer to the same exe!!! I often want to start 3 or more. This is a serious limitation for me.

Summary

I just asked for my money back (HAH!) and will move on to something else.

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